CLEVELAND – The
College Athletic Business Management Association (CABMA) announced the recipients of its 2026 awards during the CABMA Convention this morning in Las Vegas, NV. Each year, these honors celebrate individuals and institutions that demonstrate leadership, innovation, and commitment to excellence in the business of college athletics.
"On behalf of CABMA, the awards committee, and the executive committee, I would like to congratulate our 2025-26 award winners for their exceptional contributions to our association and the profession," said
Stacy Martin, CABMA Awards Committee Chair. "We are honored to recognize these remarkable members, whose notable achievements embody the spirit of their awards. CABMA proudly commemorates those who advance our mission and elevate the business of intercollegiate athletics."
Emerging Leader Award
Awarded to a member of CABMA who has demonstrated a desire and commitment to work for the betterment of the profession of intercollegiate athletics through CABMA committee involvement.
Recipient: Jailyn Wilson, Assistant Athletic Director, Finance/Special Assistant to Athletic Director, University of Memphis
Innovation Team Award
CABMA's Innovation Team Award is chosen annually to a CABMA-member institution that promotes innovative business practices for their student-athletes, coaches, athletics or university administration. Innovative practices to be considered include, but are not limited to, process improvements, cost-saving efficiencies, and revenue-producing ideas.
Recipient: University of Memphis
Associate Member Award
Associate Members are individuals who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, have a strong interest in the objectives and programs of CABMA, but who do not meet the criteria for Regular Members.
Recipient: Anthony Travel
Certificate of Merit
Certificates of Merit are awarded to members or former members who have served CABMA for less than ten years and who have demonstrated outstanding service to the organization and/or the field of intercollegiate athletics. The individual must have retired, be retiring no later than the month of June following the annual convention or be leaving the field of intercollegiate athletics.
Recipients: Leann Laing, Assistant AD for Business and Finance, University of Central Florida (former)
Manager of the Year
CABMA's Manager of the Year is chosen annually by the membership from nominations of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the profession of athletics business management and who are CABMA members.
Recipient: Rob Novak, Chief Financial Officer, University of Texas
The George Eldridge Distinguished Service Award
The George Eldridge Distinguished Service Award is presented to members or former members of CABMA who have been an active member for a period of ten years and who have demonstrated outstanding service to CABMA and/or the field of intercollegiate athletics. The individual must have retired or be retiring not later than the month of December following the annual convention, or be leaving the field of intercollegiate athletics.
Recipient: Martina Ballen, Sr. Associate AD/CFO, UNC (retired)
About CABMA: CABMA is an organization devoted to the establishment, maintenance and implementation of the highest standards of integrity and efficiency in the scope, policies and procedures involved in the management and administration of business in the athletics departments and associations of colleges and universities. For more information about CABMA, please visit
www.cabma.com. CABMA is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), which is in its 60th year. For more information on NACDA and the 19 professional associations that fall under its umbrella, please visit
www.nacda.com.
